I need to animate a production line simulation (several rotating cylinders pushing a rubbery gasket material forward)
I'm sorry, the question was way too broad.

I've gotten a partial solution from Duarte Farrajota Ramos by experimenting with presets and ramping up bending to 1000 and structural to 500 for the rubbery material.

I'll create a new question for how to propel the piece of ruber track in the animation forward.